I have a new PDF pattern for you guys!! It is a super quick and easy anatomical heart appliqué!

As I'm sure you know by now, I'm obsessed with all things Halloween. I love the big elaborate costumes, but I also love little touches of macabre. Things that I can wear all October long, simply as a part of my outfit, without drawing a ridiculous number of stares. And this simple little heart is absolutely perfect! You can add it to a tshirt, a dress, a coat, or a costume. Make it really stand out with contrasting fabric, or make it a subtle addition as I did here.

I appliquéd this thrift store sweater last friday, and then immediately wore it out to Kings Island for their Halloween Haunt night and it was perfection!Now I just need to make about ten more!​

If you haven't picked up the pattern yet, you can head on over to the shop to grab it. I have the basic written instructions on the one page pdf as well, but if you want a more detailed tutorial, you are in the right place!Read on! ​

The first step is to print your pattern! I have a more detailed blog post on printing over here, but basically what you need to remember is to click "print actual size" so that your computer doesn't shrink it down at all.

Once you print, you can measure the test square to double check the accuracy of the size (although, really, you can make this heart as big or small as you want!)

​Cut out the 2 (only two!) pattern pieces, and use them to cut your fabric. I really like the look of having two different tones for the two different pieces of the heart. A super easy way to do this is to use the same fabric, just flipped to the back side, which is what I did here! One is right side up, and the other is right side down.

Transfer the dotted line markings from your pattern to your fabric. I honestly just used a black marker since I planned to sew over them in black thread anyway.​

If you are using a fabric that may unravel along the edges, you can use fray check or some sort of stabilizer to help keep your fabric intact. ​

Once the fray check has dried, intertwine your two heart pieces together so that they look like so:​

Pin them into place on your main fabric (whatever you are adding this appliqué to) and topstitch them in place! I just followed along the edges of my heart pieces, and then sewed down a few of the dotted lines as well. ​

Then, if you like, you can use embroidery thread to really make your heart lines pop! ​

Boom! Done! Enjoy your new anatomical heart! And don't forget to use #anatomicalheartapplique so I can see your creations!!

Hello, and welcome back to the Tombstone Sewalong! ​It's time for Part 5, during which we will be finishing our tombstones! If you are just stumbling upon this series, you can head over to Part 1, and start there!

SEWING YOUR PILLOW TOGETHER

Now that you have put the cording on your pillow (this was done in Part 4), it is time to close your pillow up!

​Match up the “Start” notch on the boxing, and the “Start” dot on the front of the pillow with right sides together, and pin it in place.

Now do the same for the rest of the corner markings around the edge of your pillow, all the way until it gets back to the start. These will help keep you on track, because the hard part of sewing boxing is making sure that the front and back of the pillow are directly matched up through the boxing, otherwise your pillow will skew and be lopsided.

After pinning the important marks, you can pin the rest of the gusset in place.

Now you can sew! Sew from the “Start”, across the bottom, and all the way around until you get back to the “Start” dot in the bottom right corner (see picture below).

Tips:​You should arrive at each of your pinned markings with an equal amount of fabric on the gusset and the front pieces, but this isn’t always the case. Different people and machines mean that it isn’t always perfect. To help, keep checking as you go to make sure that you are on track, and if you find that you are getting off track, you can gently stretch the fabric that is too short to help make it fit. Or add more clips into the shorter fabric to help release more tension.

Now we repeat for the back of your pillow. Once again, pin all the markings together, and then the rest of the gusset before you sew. But this time, you will sew from the “Start”, up the side, across the top, then down around and across the bottom to the end (the opposite order of the front)

Stop sewing about 4-5 inches before you return to your “Start” mark to leave an opening for stuffing your pillow.

TroubleShooting

Got a tricky fabric, and you just can’t get MY gusset markings to line up with the front of YOUR pillow?Don’t sweat it!

Here is Option #2: Sew the gusset onto the front, without worrying about lining things up. BUT, when you get done, make new markings on the gusset where it lines up with the markings on the front, and transfer these markings to the opposite side of the gusset (exactly across), to be lined up with the back of your pillow. Now just make sure the back of the pillow lines up with your new markings on the gusset so that the pillow isn’t lopsided!

CLOSING YOUR PILLOW

Once you are done sewing, turn the pillow inside right, poke out all the corners, and fill it with your polyfil!

​Tip: A screwdriver is a great too to help you poke out all the corners.

Now turn the edges of the opening in, and pin the pillow shut like in the example below. Then, using a color of thread that blends in, sew the opening shut using a ladder stitch. If you need a refresher for how to do this stitch, check out a tutorial on my blog HERE​

And now you have a finished tombstone!! Yay!! I would love to see photos of your finished cemetery. Just shoot me an email ( madeline.goheen@gmail.com ) or use #tombstonesewalong on instagram.

If you missed Part 1, Part 2, or Part 3 you might want to go back to see what we've done so far! Or, if you are here just to learn some tips and tricks about cording, read on! Also, if you don't actually want cording on your tombstone, you can just completely skip it! But I do love the look of the cording on the pillow, so I definitely go for it. You can also buy pre-made cording if you prefer. But the instructions below will help you to make your own cording, which is sure to match your face fabric!

TIP: If you can’t find the cording you want at a craft store, take a look at clothesline. My local grocery store sells a clothesline that is perfect for cording! I recommend buying 5/32” cording, but if you buy another size, you can just adjust the width of the bias strips to work for you. Aim to have about 1/2" of seam allowance on the edge of your cording when it is sewn.

CUTTING BIAS STRIPS

First, you will need to cut bias strips to cover the cord. Fold the fabric on the diagonal and cut along that line.

After you have cut enough strips, you will need to join the ends. Pick two ends that, when put together, match up like the picture below.

Then turn one strip 90 degrees, and lay it on top with the diagonal edges lined up. Offset them just a bit, so that ¼ “ in is where the edges of your fabric match up. Then sew that ¼ “ seam, and press it open. Join all of your bias strips this way.

MAKING THE CORDING

Once they are all joined, you will make the cording using either a cording foot or a zipper foot on your machine. If you use a cording foot, make sure you are using the correct size (3/16" foot or a 1/4" foot).

If you are using a zipper foot, try to get up as close as possible next to the cording as you sew (shown below). The strips get wrapped in half around the cord as you go, like the photo below. Make sure you have the right side facing out.

If you are using 5/32” cording, and 1 ¾ “ fabric strips, the leftover fabric that makes up the seam allowance for the cording should measure about ½”, which is perfect. If you have used your own measurements, be sure to cut down your seam allowance to ½” before moving on to the next step.

SEWING ON THE CORDING

​Next, sew the cording onto the front and back of your pillow. Start on the bottom edge of the tombstone, leaving a few inches of cording free before you start stitching. Simply line up the edge of the cording with the edge of your pillow, and sew as close to the cording as you can.​

When you get to a corner, or to the curved edge of the tombstone, you will need to clip the cording seam allowance to make it easier.

When you get to the bottom of the pillow again, leave a few inches free before you get to where you started. Lay the two ends of the cording overlapping, and cut the ends so that they overlap exactly 1 and ¾“ (it is no coincidence that this is the same size as the width of our bias strips. These measurements should always match.)

​TIP: If your cording likes to fray, you can use a small piece of tape to keep it from unraveling!

Now take out the stitching of your cording a few inches in each direction, so that you have room to sew the ends together. Match the ends like the picture below at a 90 degree angle, and sew the diagonal. It should look just like the other joins you made for the strips.

Finally, cut your inside cord so that the ends just meet in the middle, tape them together, and finish sewing the cording to the bottom edge of the pillow like normal. Bam! Perfect continuous cording every time!

​Today on the sewalong, we are getting down to the real business of tombstone sewing. We will be cutting out our fabric pattern pieces, and quilting the front of our "stone".

If you missed Part 1 and Part 2, you might want to go back to see what materials you need, and how to put together the PDF pattern.

CUT IT OUT!

Here is the breakdown of what you need to cut:2 of Piece A in your main fabric1 of Piece A in your scrap fabric (this can be the same as your main fabric too if that's easiest)1 or 2 of Piece A in your batting. Your choice, depending on how much loft you want for your quilted area. I prefer a double layer!1 of Piece B in your main fabric​1 of Piece C in your main fabric

My favorite way to cut out my pieces is to lay the pattern on top of my fabric, weight it down with whatever is handy (this often ends up being a jar of pens, my phone, a stapler, etc) and then carefully cut around it. You could also trace around your pattern pieces with a fabric marker if you prefer, and then move the pattern paper away and cut it out. Sewers choice!

Join your B and C pieces at the "corner join" marks.

Note: ​Your boxing (the really really long piece that makes up the edges of your 3D pillow) can be cut out as patterned, or out of one long piece, or if you don’t have pieces of fabric long enough for the pattern, you can join a few together. Simply cut out multiple pieces of the correct width (3.5“) and sew them together (right sides together, ½” seam). There is already one built in seam in the pattern to allow for less fabric waste in the pattern layout. Go ahead and join those now.

MARK IT!

Don't forget to transfer the important marks from your pattern to your fabric. Don't worry about the quilt pattern yet. Just transfer the start/end point onto the RIGHT sides of your two main pieces for A (these will be on opposite corners if both of your pieces are right side up).

​Then for B/C transfer the start, end, and corner lines onto the WRONG side of your boxing strip. The corner marks will help keep your on track while you sew, so that your pillow doesn't get too skewed. Make sure to mark both edges of your strip at these dashed lines.

And you will need to clip the boxing in the indicated areas as well. Clipping makes it easier to sew around the curved top of the tombstone. The pattern shows you where, and approximately how far apart to clip. Look for the little dashed lines and the sections that say “CLIP”. Just make sure that your clips are only ½” deep. If it is easier, you can draw a line ½” on the edge of your piece to help you not clip too deep.

Note: the pre-clipping is totally optional. You can also clip as you sew around the pillow if you prefer.

QUILTING YOUR TOMBSTONE

Ok now for the fun part: transferring the quilting pattern. There are several methods for doing this, and I've selected three here to demonstrate.

1. Tracing PaperOne way to transfer lines onto fabric is to use tracing paper, which can be found easily at a craft store. It will come with several different colored sheets of paper, with a chalk-like substance on one side. Pick the color that will show up best. Place your tombstone face up, with the tracing paper chalk side down on top, with the paper pattern on top of that. Use a tracing wheel to transfer the lines.Downsides:Tracing paper is usually small, and you will need to shift it around the pattern to reach the entire design. You also have to make sure you wash it off afterwards so that you don’t see the lines when you are done.

​2. Tissue PaperTissue paper is another option! You can lay out a sheet of tissue paper on top of your paper pattern, and trace the quilt design onto the paper with a thin marker. I usually trace a bit of the outside as well so that I know exactly where to position it on the fabric. Then, place on top of the fabric and carefully pin in place. When you quilt, you can sew right through the tissue paper, which you then tear away when you are done!

Downsides:The tissue paper rips easily, so be careful when you are maneuvering while quilting!

3. Press'n Seal (or whatever off brand there is)This is a kitchen product, for covering food containers full of leftovers. But it can also really come in handy for quilting! You can lay out a sheet or two of this plastic (sticky side down) on top of your paper pattern, and trace the quilt design onto the paper with a thin marker. I usually trace a bit of the outside as well so that I know exactly where to position it on the fabric. Then, place on top of the fabric and press lightly in place. It will stay right where you want it. When you quilt, you can sew right through the plastic, which you then tear away when you are done!

Downsides:This stuff really likes to stick in the small spaces. It takes some work to get it all out of the little spider web area! Be sure you are ready to commit!​

Once you have your pattern traced, and ready to sew, you now create a sandwich: bottom layer is your scrap piece A, then two layers of batting, and top it off with a face fabric piece A, RIGHT side up. Then of course if you are using the press'n seal or tissue paper, that gets aligned on top of that! pin everything carefully in place and get to quilting.

Some people use a free motion quilting foot for this part. I'm terrible at this. So I just topstitch it all with a normal foot! I usually set the stitch length a little smaller, and go slow, even hand cranking when necessary to be more precise.​

Take your time!! This quilting can be time consuming. You can take it in little chunks if you prefer. The next section of the Sewalong isn't for another week, so you can spread this out if you want :)

Also, you can always pick and choose which lines you want to quilt. You could always just do an R.I.P. and be done!

Welcome to Part 2! Today we will be putting together the pattern! ​(If you haven't got your pattern yet, click HERE)

If you missed Part 1, you will want to go back and check it out because I share all the materials you will need, as well as the schedule for the entire sewalong.

LET'S GET STARTED!

The first step is to print your tombstone pattern. You will need Adobe Acrobat to open it... When you go to print, make sure that you set your printer guidelines to "actual size" so that your compater doesn't change the size of the image on you. Although with a pillow it's not the end of the world if it comes out a bit small, this can be a big issue with garment patterns, so you should just get in the habit of doing this anyway :)

I suggest printing just the first page to begin with. This page has a test square on it, so that you can make sure that your pattern is going to print at the right size. Measure to make sure it is accurate, and then print the rest of the pattern pages out too.

Now take a look at the photo below. This is what we are aiming for when your pattern is all put together. You can refer back to this picture if you aren't sure that you got it right.

Lay out all the pages so that all the numbers and letters in the diamonds match up. A1 with match with A1 and so on.

Once you have the pages in the right order, we can start trimming and taping them. Take the top row, and cut off the extra border along the left side of each of the pages. Then you can tape those cut edges on top of the extra borders still on the right sides of the pages, making sure to match up the diamonds, and any pattern lines.

Once you have each of the rows across done in the same way, you can tape together the rows by cutting off the bottom edge border of the top row and taping it onto the top of the row below. Once you have them all taped together, you can cut out your individual pattern pieces. And now your pattern is ready for use!

I'll see you back this weekend for Part 3: Cutting out the fabric and quilting the front.

Extra tip: I just came across this video by Elizabeth Made This through a Closet Case Patterns Maker Journal email. She shows a great tip for putting together your PDF patterns even faster!

Don't Forget: Look at Part 1 for a list of all the materials you need to gather for this weekend! Also, you can ask me questions, and share your techniques and advice with other sewists following along as well! You can leave comments and questions here on the blog, in our Goheen Patterns Sewing Group on facebook, or on instagram with the hashtag​#TombstoneSewalong.

Hello and welcome to the Tombstone Pillow Sewalong! It's time to start thinking about Halloween decorations (I just got mine out of storage today!) and this creepy pillow is a great addition to any spooktakular home setup!

If you would like to order a custom Tombstone (you get to pick what the epitaph is) I can do that too!

The Tombstone Pillow Sewing Pattern is rated CONFIDENT on my sewing levels chart. This means that you sew on the regular, are familiar with sewing patterns, and you know your sewing machine like the back of your hand! Basically, if you have never sewn anything before in your life, this one might not be the pattern to start with.

HOW IT WORKS

Over the next few weeks, I'll publish a series of blog posts taking you step by step through the entire process of making your own tombstone, from PDF pattern to finished pillow. You can sew along with me, ask me questions, and share your techniques and advice with other sewists following along as well! You can leave comments and questions here on the blog, in our Goheen Patterns Sewing Group on facebook, or on instagram with the hashtag​#TombstoneSewalong.

I'll try my best to answer any questions as quickly as I can, but feel free to jump in and help each other out too!

So if all goes according to plan, you will have a finished decoration by Oct 7th! Plenty of time to use it for Halloween 2017!

GATHERING YOUR MATERIALS

Materials and Tools you need by Aug 20th, for Part 2:- The pattern (available in the pattern shop)- A way to print the pattern (printer at home or at a copy shop)- Paper Scissors- Clear Tape- A ruler or measuring tape

Materials and Tools you need by Aug 23rd, for Part 3:- 1yd (1 meter) of any 40-60" wide woven fabric, prewashed. I love using a nice textured grey fabric from the home decor section!- 1/2 yd (1/2 meter) of "lining", prewashed. This can be any fabric at all, it will not be seen on the outside of your tombstone, so it is a great stash buster. - 1/2 yd (1/2 meter) of any quilt batting (18"x22" for you scrap busters)- Thread- Contrast Top stitching Thread (black thread is great on a grey tombstone)- 145" of 5/32 of welt cording (370 cm) Etsy is a great place to find this if it's not at your local craft store. You can also sub in 5/32 inch clothesline found at a hardware store or even a grocery store!- Fabric Scissors- Fabric marker/chalk- Sewing Machine- Pins- Handsewing Needle- Skinny Black marker- Press and Seal OR Transfer Paper OR Tissue Paper

That's it for now! I'll see you back for Part 2 on the 20th!Let me know if you have any questions about gathering materials!